Begonia Species

Begonia species

How many different begonia varieties are there? There are around 2,000 species in the Begonia genus. Most of the species come from tropical climates and require warm temperatures to grow.

How can I tell which type of begonia I have?

If your plant has beautifully patterned leaves, it is most likely a rex begonia. An obliquely shaped leaf that looks like a wing indicates an angel wing or dragon wing begonia. Green or bronze oval leaves let you know you have a wax begonia. Finally, look at the flowers.

What is the most popular begonia?

Tuberous begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida) are a group of hybrids of different species of begonias. They are among the most popular begonias and include thirteen groups. The most important feature of these begonias are the tubers that they form as an organ of survival.

What is the difference between begonia and tuberous begonia?

Gently dig up your begonia and take a look at the roots. Fibrous-rooted begonias will look stringy; rhizomatous will have creeping surface stems and roots; and tuberous begonias have a round, flattened brown tuber that looks, well, a lot like a cow pie!

How many years do begonias last?

As the water evaporates, it will create a zone of humidity around your plant. No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care. Cane begonias such as angel wings go dormant if the temperature gets too cool.

Do all begonias come back every year?

Most begonias are annuals (last only one season). You can save tubers from tuberous begonias to replant the next year or bring annual begonias in as houseplants in winter. Some rhizomatous and hardy begonias (B. grandis) are perennial, or come back year after year, in warmer regions.

Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?

Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it's no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.

Do you deadhead begonias?

Most begonias don't need deadheading but look better if you snap off old flower stems. Don't deadhead sunflowers because the seeds are important food sources for birds.

Do begonias like the sun or shade?

They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.

What is the easiest begonia to grow?

Cane begonias are among the easiest to grow. Showy hanging clusters of red, pink or white flowers open in spring and summer. Some cane-stemmed begonias flower all year long. These begonias have handsome foliage as well as attractive flowers.

What is the most fragrant begonia?

One of the most fragrant begonias, B. solananthera.

Do begonias spread?

Native to Brazil, Begonia semperflorens can be winter hardy in zones 10-11, but they are grown as annuals in most of the United States. Sometimes called fibrous begonia, these deer-resistant, non-invasive plants form small clumps that grow anywhere from 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches.

Can you leave begonias in pots over winter?

Overwinter potted begonias. It is best to leave tuberous-rooted begonias dormant. You can also bring rhizomatous begonias, which grow best in pots, inside to live out the winter as houseplants.

Do you cut back begonias in the fall?

Cut back begonias in autumn. You should cut them back up to 1/3 of the plant after flowering. Throughout the year, prune your begonias to shape their growth. If you have winter-flowering begonias, cut them back in the spring after they have finished flowering.

What do you do with begonias at the end of the season?

At the end of the growing season, simply put the entire plant in your compost pile. If you want to save the begonia tubers and replant them next spring, here's how to do it: Begonias that are in containers can be moved indoors before the first frost. Stop watering and allow the foliage to yellow and die back.

How do you winterize begonias?

Place a layer of peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust in a small cardboard box. Lay the tubers on the storage medium, then cover the tubers with additional peat, vermiculite, or sawdust. Store the tubers in an area with a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the tubers to freeze.

How do you keep begonias blooming?

11 Tips to Keep Your Begonias Blooming all Season Long

1. 1 Water, But Not Too Much.
2. 2 Give Them Adequate Sun.
3. 3 Use Light Soil.
4. 4 Fertilize Them Regularly.
5. 5 Use a High Quality Compost.
6. 6 Deadhead When Needed.
7. 7 Choose The Right Varieties.
8. 8 Pick a Proper Location.

How often should you water begonias?

Water Needs A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.

How do I save my begonias for next year?

Put them on screen trays or pack them in dry peat, sawdust, sand or other insulating material. Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp potting soil in a warm environment.

Do begonias need to be cut back in winter?

Cut back begonia stems to three or four inches above the tuber in fall as you prepare to overwinter them. Do this for tuberous begonias when you bring them into a frost-free space for winter. The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you're leaving them outside for winter under a mulch.

12 Begonia species Images